Baby it’s cold outside

At 40 below, everyone looks like a dumpling

When I was interviewing for my job in Alaska, one of the weather office forecasters said

At 40 below, everyone looks like a dumpling, but a 40 below cold snap only happens every 500 days or so on statistical mean.

I had no clue what he meant with looking like a dumpling, but I knew we don’t dress for the means, do we?

Have fun styling your outerwear

In Interior Alaska, the cold season lasts about seven months. Just bundling up to increase the insulation layer and stay warm longer than without can get pretty boring. I became a firm believer that styling your outerwear can make a frigid day at -20F (-28.9o) more bearable. Which fashion and style loving woman doesn’t feel great in an awesome outfit no matter what?

Outerwear is not warming you

In general, coats and outerwear only warm when you burn them. Their actual purpose is to create insulation between you and the cold environment. As I explained in my post on the physics of clothes, wicking fabrics with low conduction, adjustable wrist, neck and feet closures and thin air layers between layers are your best friends. Now we are talking! We can do layers!

Outerwear styling suggestions for over 40 at 40 below

The style inspiration photos below just give some ideas of how to layer for insulation while looking effortlessly stylish. Note that at these frigid temperatures I wear two pair of tights, long sleeves underwear, half slips or slips with skirts and dresses, respectively. I wear long underwear and double the socks when wearing jeans or pants.

Do you style your outerwear? What do you wear when the polar vortex makes a visit in town? What is the coldest temperature that you ever experienced? What is the temperature threshold for you to feel cold? I am curious, send me an email.

Ageless Style linkup

Ageless Style Linkup Hostesses

Welcome to the first Ageless Style Linkup party of 2017. Let’s see your ageless style outfits when it’s cold outside.

Please follow your hostesses, visit some of the linked up blogs and spread the word about the party for more Ageless style inspirations. Please follow us on at least one of our platforms each.